Noah Levy

Highwood IL is Ready to Make Pumpkin Carving History on October 23,2010.  It's that time of year - leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping and many homes are being decorated for Halloween. In Highwood IL residents are are excited to break a record on October 23,2010 as they attempt to break the Guiness Book of World Record for the most Jack-O-Lanterns lit in one location.

The goal which Highwood IL has set is to have 32,000 jack-o-laterns lit up on October 23,2010 and to break the current world's record which was set in Boston MA in 2006 where 30,128 pumpkins were lit.  Last year Highwood IL hosted a successful Jack-O-Lantern wall- drawing record crowds. Over 1,200 jack-o-lanterns were lit and the event was great fun for all.  This year the city of Highwood IL  has added many family fun events to kick off the challenge and hopes to break the current Guinness World Record.  Highwood will be hosting a four day Great Pumpkin Fest beginning on Wednesday October 20,2010 thru Saturday October 23, 2010.

Line-up for the Great Pumpkin Fest is:

• Wednesday October 20^th, 3-8 pm
• 3-8 pm Carving Night at City Hall Park and School of Rock (Everts) Park, haunted fun house, hay rides, live music by Cirrus Falcon at City Hall Park, food, vendors, etc.
• 8 am–5 pm Artist Pumpkin Carving Competition continues though the 22^nd, at School of Rock (Everts) Park, where artists from all over Chicagoland will carve ‘totem poles’ of pumpkins to be on display.  Winners will be announced Oct. 23^rd at 5 pm in front of City Hall (17 Highwood Avenue).  1^st place $500, 2^nd place $100, 3^rd place $50.  Submission fee is $25.  Contestants can register at highwoodpumpkinart@gmail.com. 
• 5 pm pumpkin pie eating contest, sponsored by Whole Foods Market Deerfield, at City Hall Park.  Contestants can obtain registration form online at www.celebratehighwood.com.
• 6 pm Ronald McDonald kicks off the ceremonial lighting of the first pumpkin wall of the fest in front of City Hall (17 Highwood Avenue).
• Thursday, October 21^st, 3-8pm
• 3-8 pm Carving Night at City Hall Park, School of Rock (Everts) Park and Scout (WestOver) Park, haunted fun house, hay rides, live Salsa music at City Hall Park, food, vendors, etc.
• 4-6:30 pm Ice Cream Challenge! Compete to see who can down The Cooling Station’s Mini Avalanche Sundae the fastest: seven scoops of vanilla, three toppings, rainbow sprinkles, seven oreo cookies, four crushed cones, chocolate syrup, and whip cream.  Contest takes place in fron of City Hall.  Email cs@cooling.com for more information and to sign up.
• 5:30 -7:30 pm Pumpkin Dinner BBQ at Scouts (WestOver) Park, 814 Sheridan Road in Highwood (across the street from Subway) for the Military, Veterans, Wounded Warriors and Scouts, benefiting and creating awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).   Dinner will be free for Scouts, Veterans and Military, with $5 suggested donation for everyone else going to the Wounded Warriors Project.  Pumpkin pie dessert provided by Whole Foods Market Deerfield.  There will be live music, videotaped interviews of Wounded Warriors and other Vets, and of course, pumpkin carving. 
• 6:30 pm will be the ceremonial lighting of the main pumpkin wall by General BG Hanley and Captain Malfitano.

• Friday, October 22^nd, 3pm-8pm
• 3-8 pm Carving Night at City Hall Park, School of Rock (Everts) Park and Scout (WestOver) Park, haunted fun house, hay rides, live music by Canasta, food, vendors, etc.
• 3-7 pm Trick-or-Treating throughout the business district.
• 3-close Pumpkin Treats and Pumpkin Drink specials at designated restaurants, taverns, and businesses throughout Highwood.
• 6:30 pm will be the ceremonial lighting of the main pumpkin wall by local celebrity (TBA), followed by Flash Mob/Thriller Dance at City Hall Park.

• Saturday, October 23^rd, full day of festivities from 9am-8pm
• noon-8 pm a day full of pumpkin carving and counting, food, vendors, children’s entertainment, live music on four different stages (City Park Main Stage: noon-4 pm Dr. Mudd, 4-8 pm TBA, Sheridan and Webster Stage: Phase Recording Studios will provide live music from noon-8, School of Rock will provide live music from 5:30-8 pm at School Of Rock (Everts) Park gazebo, Scout (WestOver) Park Stage: 2:00 noon - Midwest Young Artists’ brass ensemble), shopping, haunted fun house, hay rides, etc.
• 9 am Midtown/Athletico 5k Pumpkin Run and Kids Pumpkin Dash. The cost is $25 for adults or $10 for kids, with a $5 dollar discount if you bring a pumpkin.  Participants can register at www.signmeup.com and search Highwood 5k Pumpkin Run and Kids Pumpkin Dash. Run starts at Buffo’s. Participants are then invited to brunch compliments of and at Bridie McKenna’s. Non-participants are welcome for $10.
• 11 am is the Giant Pumpkin Land Regatta, featuring huge pumpkins propelled by human power in a 100-yard race from the corner of Sheridan Road and Highwood Avenue, due north.  First 20 contestants receive free 200 lb pumpkins. Contact Rob Sabo at rsabo@cityofhighwood.org to register.
• Noon Pumpkin Pie contest winner announced at City Hall Park, entrance fee $1. Registration and rules contact Catherine Lambrecht at cal60035@sbcglobal.net or 847/432-8255.
• 1-3 pm Pumpkin Chuckin’ Catapult Contest at Scout (WestOver) Park.  Visit www.celebratehighwood.com or email rsabo@cityofhighwood.org to register.
• 2-4 pm Dress Your Pet Halloween Costume Contest at School of Rock  (Everts) Park.
• 4-5:30 pm The Great Costume Parade starting from the School of Rock (Everts) Park winding through Highwood.
• 5:30 pm Artist Pumpkin Carving Competition winner announced in front of City Hall (17 Highwood Avenue).  1^st place $500, 2^nd place $100, 3^rd place $50.  Submission fee is $25.  Contestants can register at highwoodpumpkincompetition@msn.com.
• The festivities culminate at 6:30pm with the lighting and grand display to break the Guinness Book of World’s Record for the most jack-o-lanterns. 

Highwood is an adjoining town to Highland Park it  offers many wonderful restaurants and during the summer months it hosts an amazing evening farmer's market.  Families who live in Highwood attend Highland Park Schools - District 112 and District 113.

Don't miss the fun - Highwood IL is calling all pumpkin carvers from near or far to participate in this fun and  record breaking event. Just think you could be a part of this record breaking event!

The above article, Highwood IL is Ready to Make Pumpkin Carving History on October 23,2010, was written by Noah Levy - A REALTOR  assisting buyers and sellers with their real estate needs along Chicago's North Shore Suburbs.